So, here is what I hear from my restoration shop: If I drive it this winter, while the paint is fresh, DO NOT USE pressure to rinse it off, just open hose. But DO rinse it off and let it dry before you cover it with custom cover. The paint and the inside of the cover need to stay abrasives-free to avoid scratches. Further, they say that I will notice that at first, the water will just bead off (as if it had a protective coating) but eventually, the water will not, and that is a sign it is hardening and no longer out-gassing. They suggest waiting at least 3 months, maybe more given the temperature and the cover.
There is no question in my head about whether I will be driving it. I will definitely be driving it, rain or shine, so I guess I cross my fingers and hope nothing occurs that can damage the paint while it is still curing, vulnerable, and unprotected.
Bottom line is new paint seems to be a time of some slight risk, regarding when to apply any protective coating for the first time. I’m sure for reasons of potential liability, none of the companies selling “protection” really address this topic, and the concern that people in my situation feel. I suspect there are probably go/no go testing procedures available, but they are perhaps out of the reach of us common folk, so in the end, we just apply and cross our fingers.
Potential Product: Adams might be able to come up with a simple “cover a small section for some period of time, and then test the cover material” test. Something like a pregnancy test kit, with release of liability, of course. Hah!